The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission last Thursday voted unanimously to create three new license types allowing social cannabis consumption in the state.
The new license types include supplemental licenses for existing licensees to allow on-site consumption, hospitality licenses for new or non-cannabis businesses to allow cannabis consumption in partnership with existing operators, and event organizer licenses for temporary consumption events. The CCC also set rules and industry training requirements to hopefully prevent overconsumption and impaired driving.
Massachusetts voters approved the social consumption language as part of the state’s 2016 cannabis legalization initiative, but officials have rolled out the regulations more slowly than the industry’s other offerings. Under the state law, social use licenses will only be allowed in towns or municipalities that opt in through a referendum, ordinance, or bylaw.
“Today’s vote marks a long-awaited and carefully considered milestone for Massachusetts’ regulated cannabis industry. By finalizing the Social Consumption license-type, the Commission is honoring the will of the voters who envisioned safe, legal spaces for adult-use cannabis, while maintaining strong safeguards to protect public health and public safety. This achievement represents years of collaboration among stakeholders, policymakers, and communities across the Commonwealth.” — Commissioner Kimberly Roy, in a statement
The Commission was originally scheduled to discuss the social consumption expansions in September. The schedule, however, was delayed by the reinstatement of CCC Chair Shannon O’Brien, who returned to the role this fall after legally challenging her suspension and firing by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg about two years ago.
